In a moment of profound loss for the soap opera community, the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards paid tribute to beloved 'General Hospital] star Johnny Wactor, whose life was tragically cut short last month.
- Jun 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - On the night of June 7, the Daytime Emmy Awards took a poignant pause to honor the stars we've lost over the past year. Among them was Johnny Wactor, a talented actor known for his role as Brando Corbin on "General Hospital". Just eight days prior to the awards, Wactor was shot and killed in a tragic incident in downtown Los Angeles while trying to prevent a theft and protect his female co-worker.
Wactor's agent, David Shaul, shared touching words with PEOPLE, describing Wactor as "a spectacular human being" who stood as a "real moral example to everyone who knew him." Shaul praised his relentless hard work, tenacity, and "never give up attitude." His colleagues echoed these sentiments during post-award interviews, with "General Hospital" co-star Sofia Mattsson recalling how "caring, genuine, kind, and hardworking" he was.
Wactor's sudden death has been a devastating blow to those who knew him. The young actor was known not just for his roles on screen, but for his off-screen character as well. He was walking a female co-worker, Anita Joy, to her car when he encountered the thieves.
In a heroic act, Wactor stepped in between the gunman and his co-worker, shielding her from the shot. "He made everybody feel so good. It just came naturally to him, that was his character," Joy said in an emotional interview with ET.
The In Memoriam segment of the Daytime Emmys also honored other notable figures, including Robyn Bernard, Bill Hayes, Alec Musser, Barbara Rush, Camden Toy, Amanda Davies, and many others. Each tribute served as a somber reminder of the mark these individuals left on the industry, and on the hearts of their peers and fans.
Johnny Wactor's passing has left an irreplaceable void, yet his enduring legacy of kindness, dedication, and heroism continues to inspire. As his co-stars and fans remember him fondly, it's clear that Wactor's spirit will live on in the admiration and memories of those he touched.
The outpouring of tributes from the soap opera community highlights a family-like bond among the actors. Mark Teschner, the casting director who first discovered Wactor, summed it up best, "We're all holding up. The show goes on, but this really hit everyone, and everyone is taking their moments to really reflect on what Johnny meant to them."
The Daytime Emmy Awards may be a night of celebration, but it is also a night of remembrance. Johnny Wactor's name will forever be etched in the annals of daytime television for his talent, his heroism, and the unforgettable impact he made within such a short span of time.
